Gareth Baber to lead northern hemisphere-based Fiji squad

Planet Rugby

Fiji have unveiled a reduced 28-player squad ahead of their end-of-year internationals against Spain, Wales and Georgia next month in Europe.

Furthermore, due to Covid-19, Fiji Rugby has decided not to select any southern hemisphere-based players and coaches, which means Vern Cotter will be absent.

Cotter and his set of assistant coaches based in New Zealand will not be part of the November tour this year, which means Gareth Baber is leading the coaches.

Gareth Baber to lead Fiji

Joining Baber in the coaching group will be former Scottish and current Edinburgh attack coach Duncan Hodge (backs), high performance skills coach of Seattle Seawolves and former Ulster and Ireland hooker Rory Best (forwards) and ex-Springboks and Scotland coach Richie Gray (ruck and contact area).

Baber is thrilled to be given the opportunity to coach the Flying Fijians and believes he needs to work hard to be able to match the standard boss Cotter has set.

“Working with the Flying Fijians is a fantastic challenge in a very unique situation. With the logistical difficulties for Vern Cotter and his staff preventing their travel it falls to me to combine this unbelievable playing talent and expertise of the support staff into a winning formula in such a short space of time,” he said.

“But what an honour it is and I am fully aware of the expectation for performance for the three games and the opportunity this creates for all concerned.

“I would like to thank the FRU Board, CEO John O’Connor and High-Performance General Manager Simon Raiwalui for their trust and faith in my abilities and I’m determined to pay this back in representing the nation of Fiji to the best of my abilities.”

On the playing side there’s inclusions for the likes of forwards Peni Ravai, Samuel Matavesi, Albert Tuisue, Leone Nakarawa, Peceli Yato and Bill Mata. Frank Lomani, Nikola Matawalu, Ben Volavola, Levani Botia, Waisea Nayacalevu, Josua Tuisova and Eroni Sau are included in the backline representation for the tour.

Fiji Rugby General High Performance Manager Simon Raiwalui said that despite the difficulties they’ve managed to assemble a strong team for the three Tests.

The squad consists of experienced players who have been playing competitive rugby in the Top 14, Pro D2, Premiership and United Rugby Championship.

Raiwalui said: “It’s a smaller squad than normal, normally we would travel with 32 players but due to shortage in positions we have got a group of 28 players who will have cover in majority of the areas.

“There are couple of areas where will have shortage of players such as loosehead prop, hooker and half-back. We don’t have depth in these position in the Northern Hemisphere and we would have brought in players from the southern hemisphere to fill in the positions but we have selected a great team.

“We have players who are returning from injury and missed a couple of tour with the Flying Fijians such as Viliame Mata and Nikola Matawalu.

“We have got three new players coming in from the Fijian 7s environment and the Olympic Gold medalists who have gone up north, Vilimoni Botitu, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Jiuta Wainiqolo.

“It’s a strong and exciting squad and we looking forward to the challenge.”

Fiji squad for end-of-year Tests

Forwards: Peni Ravai, Eroni Mawi, Samuel Matavesi, Peniami Narisia, Luke Tagi, Mesake Doge, Leeroy Atalifo, Tevita Ratuva, Temo Mayanavanua, Albert Tuisue, Leone Nakarawa, Peceli Yato, Johnny Dyer, Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Mesulame Kunavula, Bill Mata

Backs: Frank Lomani, Nikola Matawalu, Ben Volavola, Vilimoni Botitu, Levani Botia, Eneriko Buliruarua, Waisea Nayacalevu, Josua Tuisova, Eroni Sau, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Seta Tuicuvu